New FutuRes Policy Insight: resilient fertility during COVID-19 and The Great Recession

Shoes of two young people who appear to be sitting on a roof
03/07/2024

It appears that fertility dynamics can be somewhat resilient against crises. This is clearly suggested by a new investigation carried out by the FutuRes team at the SGH Warsaw School of Economics, who analysed fertility patterns through the last two major economic crises in Europe. 

The researchers analysed fertility trends around the Great Recession of the 2000s and the COVID-19 pandemic. How were birth rates affected during these periods? Did they decrease – and If so, did they recover after the crises had passed? The researchers then analysed these trends in relation to different types of state welfare policies and reviewed latest research literature on the issue. 

In this FutuRes Policy Insight, Agnieszka Chłoń-Domińczak and Anna Maliszewska argue that policy designed to support people's fertility decisions needs to work on three levels.

Click below to read the Policy Insight.